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Ruth J. Morrison

Ruth J. Morrison

Remembering the Award-winning Actress and Civil Rights Activist, Ruby Dee

WATCH VIDEO: REMEMBERING RUBY DEE

Actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and civil rights champion RUBY DEE, a trailblazer in her own right, transitioned on June 11, 2014. She was 91 years-old.

Ruby Dee was the recipient of many honors and awards. She's earned Emmy, Drama Desk, Screen Actors Guild, Obie, National Medal of Arts and Kennedy Center Honor awards.

Ruby Dee played RACHEL ROBINSON, opposite the renowned baseball player JACKIE ROBINSON himself, in the 1950 movie, The Jackie Robinson Story. She starred opposite her husband, OSSIE DAVIS and actor SIDNEY POITIER, in the Broadway production of LORRAINE HANSBERRY'S A Raisin in the Sun; she also starred in the film version as well. Ruby Dee starred with her husband in many films including Sister in SPIKE LEE's Do the Right Thing in 1989, where she played the role of Mother Sister. Working well into her 80s, Ruby Dee acted opposite DENZEL WASHINGTON in 2007's American Gangster, a role in which she received an Oscar nomination.

RUBY DEE along with her husband, OSSIE DAVIS and MAYA ANGELOU were active participants in the civil rights struggle. They all were major players in the March on Washington in 1963. "Ossie and Ruby" continued their public demonstration activism for several decades later including protests against apartheid in South Africa. They were arrested in 1999 protesting the shooting death of AMADOU DIALLO, an unarmed African immigrant, who was shot 41 times by New York City police officers. They also spoke at both the funerals for MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. and MALCOLM X.

OSSIE DAVIS passed away in 2005, but in 1998, the husband and wife team released a dual autobiography, With Ossie and Ruby: In This Life Together.

Ruby Dee's influence on younger generations was felt at this year's Tony Awards. Six-time Tony Award-winning actress AUDRA MCDONALD and newly-minted Tony Award-winning director KENNY LEON both thanked Ruby Dee for blazing a path for them to follow.

RUBY DEE, your work carries on.

  • Published in Videos

Holler If Ya Hear Me

WATCH VIDEO: 411 TEAM DISCUSSING HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME

The What's The 411TV panel consisting of KIZZY COX, JACINDA MOTTON, RITA OBI and GLENN GILLIAM discuss the opening of the new Broadway play, HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME. The play's story is undergirded by the music and lyrics of the legendary rapper, poet, and actor, TUPAC SHAKUR.

  • Published in Theatre

Stacey Dash Joins Fox News

WATCH VIDEO: DISCUSSION - STACEY MAKES MAD DASH TO FOX NEWS

In this segment, the What's The 411 team takes on actress STACEY DASH's decision to join the FOX News Channel as a contributor.

The actress will offer cultural analysis and commentary across FOX News' daytime and primetime programs.

"Stacey is an engaging conversationalist whose distinctive viewpoints amongst her Hollywood peers have spawned national debates," Bill Shine, Executive Vice President of Programming said in a statement. "We're pleased to have her join FOX News."

Dash sparked controversy in 2012 when she tweeted her support for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. She is best known for her breakout role in the 1995 movie, "Clueless."

Watch the What's The 411 team discuss Stacey Dash's move to Fox News, especially the opening sequence.

How do you feel about Stacey Dash joining Fox News as a contributor?

NOTE: What's The 411TV hosts comments are their own and not necessarily the opinion of What's The 411 Networks.

The Arsenio Hall Show Canceled

Viewers are at odds With the cancellation of the Arsenio Hall Show by CBS

In this segment, the What's The 411 team is discussing the cancellation of The Arsenio Hall Show.

CBS Television Distribution canceled The Arsenio Hall Show after it said that the show would return for a second season, leaving fans of the show to call foul.

CBS said in a statement: "Unfortunately, 'The Arsenio Hall Show' will not return for a second season; while there are many loyal fans of the show, the series did not grow its audience enough to continue. Arsenio is a tremendous talent and we'd like to thank him for all the hard work and energy he put into the show. We'd also like to thank Tribune and all our station group partners for their support of the show."

Although the show started off well when it debuted in September, it could not maintain its early momentum and struggled with guest bookings. The struggle with bookings was perplexing to the "Arsenio Hall" team given that Hall's ratings were often comparable to cable late night shows such as TBS' "Conan."

The news came as a shock because CBS and Tribune had previously committed to the second year of the show. Leno even made a special visit to the show to announce the season two pickup, his first TV appearance after exiting "The Tonight Show" in February.

In a statement, Hall said: "When I started this adventure with CTD and Tribune, we all knew it would be a challenge -- I'm gratified for the year we've had and proud of the show we created. I'd like to thank everyone on my staff for rallying around me and striving to make the best show possible every night."

Two of the What's The 411 hosts agree with CBS Television Distribution, one vehemently opposes the move, while a fourth can see both sides.

Watch the video and tell us below which of the four makes the best point? Who is way off base?

NOTE: What's The 411TV hosts' comments are their own and not necessarily the opinion of What's The 411 Networks.

 

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